New methane target set in Parliament

The Government has passed changes setting a new biogenic methane target.

The Climate Change Response (2050 Target and Other Matters) Amendment Bill passed its third reading last week.

It updates the biogenic methane component of New Zealand’s 2050 climate target and makes several other changes to ensure climate legislation remains fit for purpose.

The amendments:

• Reset biogenic methane target to 14-24 percent below 2017 levels by 2050.

• Legislate a review of the methane target in 2040 to ensure its alignment with science and against progress of key trading partners.

• Requires consideration of protecting food production when setting emissions budgets.

• Removes the requirement for ETS settings to accord with NDCs, clarifying the purpose of the ETS as our key tool to drive domestic emissions reductions.

• Defer the fourth emissions budget as more time is needed to reflect the updated 2050 target.